GREAT BAY - August 23^rd was the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. To commemorate the UN observance, the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO and the Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance (ACHA) showed the DVD, ‘The Middle Passage’ and held a discussion with the members of the Youth Parliament on Friday August 21, 2015 at 7pm the Rupert Maynard Center.

The DVD, ‘the Middle Passage’, which can be rented from the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, focuses on the route between Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas and the bringing of enslaved persons to exchange for sugar and tobacco.  This story is told by an enslaved person of African Descent who was sold into slavery by the King of Dahomey. The film gives a visual imagery of the journey from his home and life on the ship.  

The main objective of the viewing of the DVD is to 'break the silence' on the Slave Trade, Slavery and their consequences, and to promote intercultural dialogue.

Ms. Henry, started the dialogue by asking how they felt after watching the film included:

Expressions of the Youth Parliamentarians included:

Weird; Disappointed; Unfair; Felt the struggle; Sadness; Fought over the rebellion; Locked up; Fear; Helpless; not in a situation to fight; No weapons; Rather die from fighting on my knees than doing nothing; Mental sickness.

Some of them further elaborated on their feelings as:

Weird: cause of all the struggles they went through while some of us children take so many things for granted.

Disappointed: Even if they were monkeys, would not have treated them so bad.

Unfair: because everyone should be treated better than this

Felt the struggle: because their situation was so bad. Even those that escaped, they still had.  

When asked if films like these should be shown, they all responded yes. They noted that films like these need to be shown because not many people really know what happened. The fact that the film takes one in-depth into the situation is quite enlightening. Know what the ancestors went through. Knowledge of the past helps young to evaluate the past in order to move forward.

Yes, it should be shown especially to young people as some of our young person’s today are smoking weed and hanging around the block.  They indicated that two wrongs don’t make a right. We need to watch the film to know our past so we can build our future. On the issue of moving forward, the young people feel that they now have a voice to play a stronger role as activists.

When asked if showing the film to racists would make any difference whether slavery still exists, they responded that slavery still exists although some people don’t accept it as such. But that it is there and it manifests in activities like human trafficking, prostitution, etc.

The conversations continued on the issue of slavery where the comment was made, that ‘Take away slavery, no more racism! True or false?  As this continued to generate much discussions, it was suggested as a new topic for debate by the Youth Parliamentarians.

The dialogue session was concluded with a recommendation that before showing the movie, a certain level of sensitivity is required. This is to prepare and sensitize the audience to what is coming. Otherwise, the dramatic nature of the brutality could be disturbing to some children.

Ms. Okama Ekpe Brook, president of the ACHA who partnered with Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO on this program, noted the identities of the enslaved Africans as Ibos, Yorubas, Hausas, etc.  She asked the Youth Parliamentarians who the enslavers were. The responded by saying they were Europeans. On further probing, they named the British, French, Spaniards and Dutch.

The fact was highlighted that the Dutch were the last ones to release their enslaved plantation workers. For 15 years, the enslaved people on the French side had been freed. As a result, the enslaved people from the Dutch side used to make the long treacherous trek through Colombier across to Bellevue to enjoy some freedom.

Eventually when the enslaved people were freed, they still had to work for another 6-8 years for their masters without pay. On top of that, the slave masters received extra payment before they will allow the people to go. This is all documented in the literature, ‘Lest We Forget’ a copy of which was handed over to the Youth Parliaments for research work.    

Ms. Maynard, the Coordinator was impressed with the conversations and thanked Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO for organizing the event. She noted that some of the youth had participated in the Diamond 26 re-enactment of the run for freedom. It was an emotional real experience that gave the youth an appreciation of a little bit of what the ancestors must have endured. She was hopeful that such events including the re-enactment would be conducted on a monthly basis. 

Visit Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO and participate in the various activities. Contact Ms. Marcellia Henry, Cell #5203051,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The ACHA aims to positively reconnect the Caribbean with Africa. For more information on how you can join our activities, contact Ms. Okama Ekpe Brook by Tel: +1721 5207286 or visit our website: www.afrocaribbeanalliance.org , email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Watch out for the next ACHA event taking place on September 30, 2015. 

GREAT BAY - President of the Democratic Party (DP) St. Maarten Hasani B. Ellis in a statement to the media on Tuesday night, offered the DPs condolences on the passing of Linda Johnson.

“The Democratic Party has with much sadness taken note of the passing of Linda Johnson. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her husband, children and extended family and friends.

“Linda was a dear and beloved friend of the DP leader and many DP members. She was a dedicated worker and a loving mother. She loved life and had a great sense of humor. 

“Linda fought a valiant battle against cancer. But in the end succumbed to this dreadful disease. We too mourn her loss and express the hope that her family will find some solace, knowing that she was a strong woman, who now can take her eternal rest in the Master's hands. RIP, Linda. Sleep softly on,” the DP press statement from Ellis concluded.

CAY HILL - On Thursday August 20^th and Friday August 21^st 2015, NIPA hosted its second annual orientation week to start off the new school year. Approximately 76 students, who were accepted to a program at NIPA, attended the 2 day orientation week.

The programs of which students were accepted were Maritime, Social Pedagogical Worker, ICT, Hospitality and Cook. Selected guest speakers, were invited to share their insights on a variety of subjects to get students ready for a successful school year.

The speakers that were present and topics covered were: Ife Badejo (Entrepreneur and networking consultant) on the topic: Networking your way to success, Patricia Evers (life Coach)
Topic: Appearance Grooming and Hygiene, Kimberly Meyers (Etiquette Consultant)
Topic: School and Classroom Etiquette Workshop, Maggie Van Hemmen (Entrepreneur)
Topic: Starting your own business, reaching your goal, Ramona Riley-Juan Pedro
TOPIC: Succeeding no matter where you start, Brenda Maynard  (Section Head of Administration and Facility Services at the Parliament of Sint Maarten) Topic: Time Management and Lenworth Wilson Jr. (Entrepreneur) Topic: Building your self-confidence, Believing in you.

Students also got the opportunity to go through the student handbook outlining what students can expect, and they all received a copy of their Education and Examination Regulation (EER), which gives students an indication of the knowledge and skills they should attain, by the end of their studies.

Students also received a talk from Andrea Gibson Paul who is the Job coach coordinator at NIPA, pertaining to the student’s job training expectations. The week was organized and supervised by Shameda Delaney Weekes, who is the marketing person at NIPA. Feedback received from students from an anonymous survey, pertaining to the two days, was extremely positive.

On a scale from one (1) to ten (10) 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, 75% of the group gave a score of 8-10.  Comments that frequently came forward as to why students chose those scores were: “I learned a lot”, “I was very motivated/ inspired”, “The week was well organized” and “It was a very good orientation”. Most frequent comments pertaining to what students enjoyed the most were:  “The speakers”, “Everything”, “The information” and the Motivation/inspiration.

GREAT BAY – By Emil Lee (Advisor to the Democratic Party DP) of Sint Maarten) When the governments of the Netherland and St Maarten fight, it is the citizens of St. Maarten that lose.   The Democratic Party advocates that the interests of the citizens of St Maarten should always come first.

As the governments of the Netherlands and St Maarten discuss crime, corruption, transparency and integrity; they should not lose sight of the fact that the interests of the citizens of St Maarten should always remain the priority.  The fact that Ministers Plasterk and Richardson seemed to have found a way to ease tensions between the Netherlands and St Maarten is both commendable and reassuring.  Now, all efforts should be made to bring these discussions to a rapid and logical conclusion. 

The political posturing and showmanship that has transpired over the past several months should not be allowed to marginalize the interests of the citizens of St Maarten.  While all the rhetoric and accusations of corruption, nepotism, colonialism, questionable legality, and constitutionality are all understandable topics, the rights of citizens to live in a safe and vibrant community where the people can have trust and confidence in their government should always be the primary goal.

The people of St Maarten deserve an inclusive government that is honorable and clear about how tax payer’s money is being spent; a government that is clear about what are its plans and how resources will be allocated towards achieving these plans; a government that is transparent and accountable for how it purchases goods and services. 

The Democratic Party has campaigned for open government and will continue at every opportunity to advocate for an inclusive government with integrity that is transparent, accountable and fiscally responsible.  It is a well established fact that the citizens of a country that have an open government are more prosperous and happy.

By Emil Lee advisor to the DP.

Editor: The opinions expressed here are of the author and not Soualiga Newsday.